37a Karrier Bantam "Coca Cola" Bottle Float

[Idris]

Neither the NAMC’s “Catalog of all Series Matchbox Models” (second edition) nor the AIM's “1-75 Series Regular Wheels” catalogue (second printing, 1983) contain any variations not already listed by Nick. The same is true of both Stannard and Houghton.
U.K. Matchbox examined the model in vol. 3, no. 7 (Sept. '79) p128 but did not identify any variations not already listed.

It should be noted that various catalogues (such as Houghton and U.K. Matchbox) split the even- and uneven-load 37a Coca-Cola Truck into two separate models, thereby making the first "Coca Cola" Bottle Float 37a and 37b rather than solely 37a.

[nearlymint]

Just wanted to add this picture in before I forget again, right hand model is the earlier casting with larger boxes on the bottom layer.
This applies to both sides of the model, I have found the model with both rounded and flat head crimped axles. Another reason to keep a couple of extra models.

37a

37A.JPG (231.84 KiB) Viewed 3429 times

J

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Is it the side rail that is actually lower giving the effect of bigger boxes!

Ghosthunter.

[nearlymint]

Is it the side rail that is actually lower giving the effect of bigger boxes!

Ghosthunter.

Yes Kevin, the later models have a higher side rail.
J

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Is it the side rail that is actually lower giving the effect of bigger boxes!

Ghosthunter.

Yes Kevin, the later models have a higher side rail.
J

Good, my Eyes are still working then...

Thank's 'J'.

Ghosty.

[Idris]

That's a really odd casting modification. I would have thought that the load section of the lorry would be more than strong enough to resist bending, even during the roughest play, so there must be another reason for it. Mould release issues perhaps?

[kwakers]

Wow! Another exciting discovery that now seems so obvious when the two are compared side by side. It is yet another early first casting that we Yanks had missed all these years of collecting, but now featured by Jason as a casual Forum discovery?, OR..... did I miss these bottom case differences in an older Forum Post?
Very Nice spot indeed Jason, and yet another Nick Jones Code number 1 first casting proved inaccurate that is now in need of updating. I'll have to sort out which of these models I may be in need of, or perhaps already had tucked away as a "Spare" or put in my early display without comparing its bottom rails AND caseloads to my original. I spotted my first uneven case Metal Wheeled Coke Truck in an elevated Bronner cardboard display we saw in a Latham Mall Toy Store in late 1965. I made the sales clerk climb up and swap that one for the Black Plastic wheeled current production model they had on their "Stock" shelves at that time. I now realize that the #37 Coke Truck was to be discontinued by May of 1966, but the miracle was that the 1957 version of it had remained as a display model in that busy store for 8 years till I saw it that night! Kwakers

[DrJeep]

Fabulous find, Jason. My only uneven crate 37a is the earlier casting, with deeper crates. The even crate 37a casting has the shallower crates, so this looks like it's part of a transition towards the later 37a. Maybe this "missing link" also justifies the controversial decision to label both uneven and even crate Bantams as 37a?

[misterpop]

I see 37 on the wheels...Just an observation...Would fit in nicely with my other post on wheels.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

If the bare metal (not really bare, they were 'Grenadised' to give them that dull Grey look), wheels are the same size from model to model, why have the specific model number on them!

Can we have comment on where Ian's new 'Numbered Metal Wheels' topic can be placed, thank's.

Ghosthunter.